JAY REISE
JAY REISE
Jay Reise is the composer of the opera Rasputin which was commissioned by the late Beverly Sills and premiered by the New York City Opera in 1988. It was described in The Washington Times as “a spellbinding, challenging and profoundly beautiful creation.” Rasputin was given its highly successful Russian premiere in Moscow by the Helikon Opera in September, 2008.
Reise’s Oscar Wilde-based ballet fairy-tale The Selfish Giant was commissioned and premiered by the Philharmonia Orchestra in London in 1997. Other recent works include The River Within (Concerto for Violin and Orchestra) (2008) premiered by Maria Bachmann and Orchestra 2001; the Concerto for Horn and 7 Instruments (2006), commissioned and premiered by the Network for New Music and Adam Unsworth; and the piano quintet Powers That Be (2005), commissioned by the Barlow Foundation and premiered by the Cassatt Quartet and Marc-André Hamelin.
Reise was born in 1950 in New York City and has lived in Philadelphia since he was appointed to the music faculty at the University of Pennsylvania in 1980. Previous to his appointment at Penn, Reise taught for four years at Hamilton College during which he composed his first two symphonies supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and a Guggenheim fellowship. Symphony of Voices was premiered at the Monadnock Festival, and his Second Symphony was premiered by the Syracuse Symphony, conducted by Christopher Keene, and performed subsequently by the Philadelphia Orchestra. His Third Symphony was supported by the Dietrich and Rockefeller Foundations and premiered by the Long Island Philharmonic. Other awards and fellowships have come from the Fromm Foundation, Bellagio, the Camargo Foundation, and twice from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The music of Jay Reise music has been performed widely both in the United States and abroad including an all-Reise retrospective concert in Moscow in 2000. He has been a recipient of the US-Japan Creative Arts Fellowship and has served as Director of Contemporary Music at the Grand Teton Music Festival.
Deeply influenced by Carnatic (South Indian) music and jazz (especially Jimmy Giuffre and George Russell), Reise works with a technique that he calls “rhythmic counterpoint” in which rhythmic motives are developed within the phrase such that the cadence point is implied by the rhythms alone. This technique has been a part of his music since 1990.
Among his recordings are the chamber concerto Chesapeake Rhythms and Concerto for Cello and 13 Instruments recorded on CRI by Orchestra 2001. The Devil in the Flesh and Other Pieces (Albany) features pianist Marc-André Hamelin. Jay Reise: Chamber Music (Albany) was released in March 2008 through support from the Aaron Copland Fund for Music. Gregory Fulkerson, Jerome Lowenthal, Charles Ullery and the Cassatt Quartet have also recorded his music.
Jay Reise’s articles have appeared in Opera News, Nineteenth-Century Music, Perspectives of New Music and Reading World Literature. His music is published by Merion Music/Theodore Presser Co.
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Tinicum Rhythms for Wind Ensemble (1997) -- 14'
3(Picc.)-2-5(E-flat Cl., B.Cl.)-2-2-A.Sax, T.Sax, Bari.Sax; 4-5-3(B.Tbn.)-Bari.Hn.-0; Timp., 3Perc.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; April 1997
Across the Horizons -- 21'
Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano
Published: #144-40480
Premiere Information: March 26, 2004. Four Horizons Quartet, Philadelphia, PA
• Recordings
Celebrations for Brass Quintet (1994) -- 4'
Published: #144-40270
Commission Information: University of Pennsylvania, for the inauguration of President Judith Rodin
Premiere Information: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; 1994
Chesapeake Rhythms Concertino Rhythmikosmos for Eleven Players (1995) -- 16'
Fl., Ob., Cl., 2Vln., Vla., Vcl., Cb., Pno., 2Perc.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Concerto for Cello and 13 Instruments (2000) -- 23'
Vcl. Solo; 1(Picc.)-1-1-1; 1-0-0-0; 2Perc., Pno., Str. Quintet
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Written for and dedicated to Orchestra 2001, James Freeman and Ulrich Boeckheler
Premiere Information: Orchestra 2001, James Freeman, conductor, Ulrich Boeckheler, cello; Lang Concert Hall, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA; May 6, 2000
• Recordings
Duo Concertante for Two Violins
Available From Composer
Memory Refrains for String Quartet (2001) -- 25'
Published: #144-40440
• Recordings
Available Separately:Set of parts (#144-40440P)
Full Score - Large (#144-40440S)
Moonwatching for Flute and Violin (1994) -- 10'
Not yet released (in prep: #144-40249)
Premiere Information: Society of Composers Regional Conference; Temple University, Philadelphia, PA; October 29, 1994
Nightones for Trumpet, String Quartet, and Keyboard Percussion
Available From Composer
Open Night Poem-Caprice for 6 Instruments (2003) -- 17'
Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano, Percussion
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: November 13, 2003. Tara O’Connor, flute; Igor Begelman, clarinet; Ayano Ninomiya, violin; Clancy Newman, cello; Eric Moe, piano; Don Liuzzi, percussion. Kimmel Center Presents
• Recordings
• Reviews
Poem (Prelude) for String Quartet
Published: #144-40179
Additional Information: Version for String Orchestra also available.
Sinfonietta for Woodwind Quintet (1985) -- 15'
2-2-2-2; 2-0-0-0
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: National radio broadcast, November 1985
Skyward for Jazz Ensemble
Available From Composer
String Quartet No. 1
Available From Association for the Promotion of New Music
String Quartet No. 2 (1982-83) -- 17'
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Samuel S. Fels Fund of Philadelphia
Premiere Information: Cassatt String Quartet; Bar Harbor Festival, Bar Harbor, ME; August 5, 1988
Additional Information: Dedicated to Iso Briselli.
Available Separately:Score and parts (#144-40180)
Set of parts (#144-40180P)
Full Score - Large (#144-40180S)
Trio Rhythmikosmos for Violin, Cello and Piano (1993) -- 18'
Published: #144-40251
Premiere Information: Mobius Trio; Spoleto Festival, Charleston, SC; June 6, 1993
Additional Information: Dedicated to Adrian L’Armand.
• Recordings
Available Separately:Set of parts (#144-40251P)
Full Score - Large (#144-40251S)
Yellowstone Rhythms for Bassoon and 10 Instruments (2000) -- 17'
Bsn. Solo; Fl.(Picc.), Ob., Cl., Perc., Pno.(Cel.), 2Vln., Vla., Vcl., Cb.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: Network for New Music Ensemble, Jan Krzywicki, conductor, Charles Ullery, bassoon; Settlement Music School, Philadelphia, PA; April 22, 2001
Additional Information: Chamber ensemble transcription of original version for Bassoon and Piano.
Version for Bassoon and Orchestra also available.
Apres for Flute Solo
Available From Composer
Bagatelles for Violin and Piano
Available From Composer
Bassoon Conjurings for Bassoon Solo
Available From Composer
Conjurings for Flute Solo
Available From Composer
Duo Rhythmikosmos for Violin and Piano (1994) -- 23'
Not yet released (in prep: #144-40250)
Commission Information: Network for New Music
Premiere Information: Geoffrey Michaels, violin and Charles Abramovic, piano; West Chester, PA; May 1994
• Recordings
Four Dark Caprices for Clarinet and Piano
Available From Composer
Futari for Clarinet and Piano
Available From Composer
Hyperdensity for Clarinet Solo
Available From Composer
La Choumine for Viola and Piano (1984) -- 5'
Published: #144-40135
Commission Information: Written for Nancy Uscher.
Yellowstone Rhythms for Bassoon and Piano (1995) -- 15'
Published: #144-40272
Commission Information: Written for Charles Ullery.
Premiere Information: Charles Ullery, bassoon; Grand Teton Music Festival, Teton Village; Summer 1995
Additional Information: Transcriptions for Bassoon and Orchestra, and for Bassoon and 10 Instruments also available.
• Recordings
New Idols for Organ
Available From Composer
Movements:
• Morning Star
• Nocturnal
• Quiet Time
• Scape
• Scriabinalia
• Tempus Fugit
Movements:
• Awakening to Memory
• Cascades and Shadows
• The Stasis of Delirium
Rhythmic Garlands for Piano Solo (1991) -- 21'
Published: #140-40064
Commission Information: Dedicated to Jerome Lowenthal.
Premiere Information: James Primosch, piano; Curtis Institute of Music; Philadelphia, PA; November 22, 1992
• Recordings
Six Pictures from Radiguet’s "The Devil in the Flesh," for Piano Solo
Additional Information: Movements 4-6 also available for 2 Pianos.
Movement 2 also available for Guitar Solo.
Available From ComposerMovements:
• A Corner in the House of Innocence
• Dragonflies sing near (for left-hand alone)
• Night falls raining
• Romance (for left-hand alone)
• The Madwoman on the Roof
• Unfounded Joy
• Recordings
Sonata Rhythmikosmos for Piano Solo (1993) -- 12'
Not yet released (in prep: #140-40070)
Commission Information: Mari Akagi
Premiere Information: Mari Akagi; Sapporo, Japan; September 1993
• Recordings
Tableau fugitif for Piano Solo
Available From Composer
Three Pictures from Radiguet’s "The Devil in the Flesh," for Two Pianos
Available From ComposerMovements:
• Night falls raining
• The Madwoman on the Roof
• Unfounded Joy
Two Popular Pieces from the Operafilm "The Devil in the Flesh" for Piano Solo
Available From ComposerMovements:
• Enchantment
• Waltz
Movements:
• In the Heart of the Heart
• Watching
Alice at the End an Operatic Tableau for Soprano, Oboe, Clarinet, Violin, Piano and Percussion
Available From Composer
Rasputin Opera in Two Acts (1988) -- ca. 2 hrs.
3(Picc., A.Fl.)-3(E.H.)-3(E-flat Cl., A.Sax., B.Cl.)-3(Cbsn.); 4-3-3-1; Timp., 3Perc., Pno., Upright Pno. (on stage), Hp. (amplified), Cel., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: New York City Opera, John Cheek, bass, Christopher Keene, conductor; Lincoln Center, New York, NY; September 17, 1988
Additional Information: Libretto by the composer with collaboration by Frank Corsaro.
• Reviews
Autumn Rhythms for Orchestra -- 8'
2(Picc.)-2-2-2; 3-3-3(B.Tbn.)-0; 3Perc., Pno., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Hamilton College
Premiere Information: Hamilton College, Clinton, NY; October 8, 1994
Hieronymois Mad Againe Tone Poem for Large Orchestra
Available From Composer
Paraphonia for Large Chamber Orchestra
Available From Composer
Poem (Prelude) for String Orchestra (1982) -- 10'
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia with a grant from the Samuel S. Fels Fund
Premiere Information: Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, Adrian Gnam, conductor; St. Mary’s Church, Philadelphia, PA; 1983
Additional Information: Also available for String Quartet.
Symphony No. 2 for Large Orchestra (1980) -- 22'
3(Picc.)-3(E.H.)-4(E-flat Cl., B.Cl.)-3(Cbsn.); 6-6-3-1; Timp., 5Perc., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, with a grant from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
Premiere Information: Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Christopher Keene, conductor; Crouse-Hinds Concert Hall, Syracuse, NY; 1980
• Reviews
Symphony No. 3 "Awakening to Memory" (1984) -- 18'
3(Picc.)-3(E.H.)-3(B.Cl.)-3(Cbsn.); 4-3-3-1; Timp., 3Perc., Pno., Hp., Cel., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Long Island Philharmonic Orchestra, with a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation
Premiere Information: Long Island Philharmonic Orchestra, Christopher Keene, conductor; Long Island University, Long Island, NY; March 24, 1985
The Selfish Giant Choreographic Tone Poem based on the story by Oscar Wilde (1997) -- 25'
2(Picc.)-2-2-3(Cbsn.); 4-3-3-1; Timp., 2Perc., Org. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Commissioned by and dedicated to the Philharmonia Orchestra and Djong Victorin Yu.
Premiere Information: Philharmonia Orchestra, Djong Victorin Yu, conductor; Royal Festival Hall, London, UK; December 4, 1997
Additional Information: Based on the fairy tale by Oscar Wilde.
• Reviews
Undercurrents for Bassoon and String Orchestra (1989)
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Alba for Speaker, Small Mixed Chorus, Small Mixed Ensemble (Harp, Piano, Harmonium and Percussion)
Available From Composer
Arcadian Shadows for Soprano, Clarinet, Cello, and Piano
Available From Composer
Cleopatra for Soprano and Chamber Ensemble
Available From Composer
Kasidah (Testament) for Mezzo-soprano and Piano
Available From Composer
L’Eventail se meurt for SATB Soli and Small Ensemble (Flute, Harp, Percussion, Piano and Electric Harpsichord)
Available From Composer
Movements of Imagination for Soprano and Large Chamber Orchestra
Available From Composer
Paradise with You (from the Operafilm "Devil in the Flesh"), for Soprano and Piano
Available From Composer
Psalm 121 for Chorus
Available From Composer
Psalm 23 for Chorus
Available From Composer
Satori for Soprano and Piano (1995) -- 10'
Published: #141-40046
Premiere Information: Princeton Summer Music Festival; Princeton, NJ; 1995
Additional Information: Text by Damien Kongressi.
Also available for Soprano and Piano Trio.
• Recordings
Satori for Soprano and Piano Trio (1994-95) -- 9'
Sop.; Vln., Vcl., Pno.
Published: #141-40042
Commission Information: Written for Deborah Massell.
Premiere Information: Hamilton College; Clinton, NY; 1995
Additional Information: Text by Damien Kongressi.
Also available for Soprano and Piano
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#141-40042S)
Symphony of Voices (Symphony No. 1) for Soprano and Orchestra (1979) -- 16'
Sop. Solo; 3(Picc.); 3(E.H.)-2-2; 4-2-2-1; 3Perc., Hp., Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: New Hampshire Symphony with a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts
Premiere Information: New Hampshire Symphony, Neva Pilgrim, soprano, James Bolle, conductor; Monadnock Music Festival, Peterborough, NH; 1979
Albany Records TROY1004: Jay Reise Chamber Music
Charles Abramovic, piano, Allison Herz, clarinet, Karen Bentley Pollick, violin, Michal Schmidt, cello
 | Six Pictures from Radiguet’s "The Devil in the Flesh," for Piano Solo |
"… there must be something to draw listeners back for repeat visits. That magentism was immediate in the heart-grabbing opening violin solo of the world-premiere sextet by…Jay Reise, titled Open Night… the piece unfolds with a reasoning that's hard to explain but great to feel."-David Patrick Stearns, The Philadelphia Inquirer
"It had epic quality. The full organ, the rolling timps and the squabbling brass at the start had weight. A clumsy giant's angry dissonances were peeled back to reveal strings pulling anguished chords."-Rick Jones, Evening Standard (London)
"…this score is far more compelling than most comparable works… Reise has achieved a rare balance between accessibility and complexity."-Peter J. Rabinowitz, Musical America
"“Rasputin” is a well-crafted piece, both musically and dramatically…
Reise’s score…underline[s] and reinforce[s] the dramatic events on stage. Especially effective is Reise’s use of traditional tonality – including quotes from Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s ballet “Swan Lake” and the Russian imperial hymn – for the music of Nicholas and Alexandra, as well as atonal dissonance to conjure up what he calls, in a program note “the brutal and chaotic new world of the 20th century.”"-Raymond Stults, The Moscow Times"The new opera is a spellbinding, challenging and profoundly beautiful creation."-Washington Times
Page last updated October 30, 2008
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